A freight train transporting coal derailed in Franklin County, west of Washington, Missouri, early Tuesday morning.

According to a Union Pacific spokesperson, at about 6 a.m., an eastbound Union Pacific Railroad coal train going from Wyoming to Cora, Ill. (about 70 miles south of St. Louis) with 142 cars, experienced a 36 car derailment about 10 miles west of Washington, Missouri. There were no injuries. None of the derailed cars went into the nearby Missouri River.

Because both mainlines are blocked with the derailed cars, Amtrak passengers are being bussed around the derailment. Crews and heavy equipment have been called and will be removing the derailed cars and repairing the track that was damaged as a result of the derailment throughout today and tonight. There is no estimated time of when the track will be reopen. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

Less than one week ago, Washington, Missouri area first responders participated in an exercise in which a train derailed in the downtown area of Washington. To read more about that exercise, including video and photos, see these previous WashMo.com articles: